Alabama Messenger May 2026

KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN. NETWORK SUPERINTENDENT ds@amnag.org

The Alabama Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God stands at a signi cant and sacred moment of transi on.

A er seventeen years serving as the superintendent, I am stepping down and returning to Mobile to serve the kingdom in a new chapter of ministry. This a ords new leadership the opportunity to carry forward the mission of the Network. This transi on re ects not an ending, but a con nua on of God’s unfolding purpose—one genera on faithfully handing the mantle to the next.

Scripture reminds us, “For the gi s and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29). Over the past twenty-six years, I have had the privilege of serving the Alabama AG family as the Missions, Men’s, and Church Plan ng Director and Superintendent. It was a rewarding experience to collaborate with our ministers and churches to uphold a steadfast commitment to the Great Commission—encouraging, equipping, and empowering churches throughout Alabama to engage their communi es with the gospel. My objec ve has been and will con nue to be to strengthen pastors, mobilize ministries, and foster a spirit of unity and revival throughout the state.

In keeping with biblical pa erns of transi on, this moment echoes the words of the Apostle Paul: “And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32). Leadership in the Kingdom is never about posi on alone, but about stewardship—faithfully serving un l the Lord calls for a new season.

With great an cipa on and con dence, the Network welcomes Pastor Greg Kelley as the newly elected Superintendent. Having faithfully served in leadership within the Network, he brings proven character, spiritual insight, and a shepherd’s heart for ministers and churches across Alabama. His elec on signals both con nuity and fresh vision for the days ahead.

The charge to new leadership is clear in Scripture: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the ock… to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). As Superintendent, Greg Kelley steps into this sacred responsibility—to lead with humility, to guide with wisdom, and to serve with a heart fully yielded to the Holy Spirit.

This transi on also aligns with the ongoing call of the Alabama Ministry Network to “Renew the Call”—a renewed commitment to obedience, consecra on, and Spirit-empowered ministry. Just as Joshua followed Moses, and Elisha followed Elijah, this moment re ects God’s divine pa ern of con nuity in leadership.

The future is lled with promise. As Scripture declares, “Being con dent of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Philippians 1:6). The same God who has led the Network in past seasons will con nue to guide it into a future marked by revival, growth, and immeasurably more.

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Cyndi and I want to thank this wonderful family of ministers and churches for their love and support over the decades, and we look forward to fellowship in the future. As the Alabama Ministry Network moves forward, it does so with gra tude for faithful leadership, con dence in God’s calling, and expecta on for what lies ahead. Indeed, God is up to something big—and the best is yet to come.

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN. NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER _________________________________________________ msharp@amnag.org OUR MUSIC: Manipulating Emotions or Worshipping God? All of us have favorite songs that move us in a special way. Some are associated with God and church.

Others are associated with special events or people in our lives. A few have become a part of our identity. Music makes immediate impact on our minds and emotions. When we hear music or sing, our mood changes. Music triggers the release of powerful chemicals in our bodies, such as dopamine and endorphins. These “happy hormones” are also released during eating, exercising, a massage, or having sex.

When combined with physical activity, especially group activity, these chemical changes are more powerful. Highly rhythmic music, certain chord progressions, and changes in volume can synchronize our brain waves and synchronize our moods and movements with the people around us. Add active lighting synced with the music, and you have a well-recognized, scientifically established, and widely practiced form of mass manipulation.

You can see this in concerts, clubs, and many churches every week. We can be moved to sadness or stimulated to feel joy, anger, or triumph. Our minds are opened to suggestion. We become receptive to the ideas and appeals in the lyrics. We may even make important decisions in response, especially if people around us do so. The manipulative power of music is well known by leaders and is widely used, even in Christian circles. This is true in the writing and performing of “worship” music today.

This is especially concerning when young people are encouraged to take risks, make radical decisions, and set themselves on life-altering trajectories without input from parents or others who love these young people and who have the wisdom to help guide these decisions. This is true whether the appeals and decisions are for selfish living or religious mission. The impulse control centers in human brains are not fully formed until we are in our mid to late 20’s! Many people later regret such impulsive decisions but by then they’ve lost valuable years of their lives failing to acquire marketable skills or education or delaying marriage and children.

The most important aspect of Christian music has always been the lyrics. God’s word in song, just like God’s word in preaching, is meant to convict, cleanse, comfort, encourage, and conform us to the image of Christ.

According to Scripture, our teaching, singing, and living are to be God-focused, not self-focused. Primary focus is on the truth and glory of God, not on self, not about “ME … my hurt, my pain, my joy, sorrow, desires, destiny, or victory!” Sadly, much of our “worship” experience has become self-focused even when it masquerades as “glorifying God.” Are we telling truthfully the redemption story when we sing? How much of the lyrics really contain solid biblical truth? How often do the lyrics quote or paraphrase Scripture? In the New Testament the brief hymns we see are always focused on God, Christ, redemption, the gospel and victory of Jesus. There, and in the church, the songs are meant to be sung by God’s people, not simply performed by a “team.”

Music can make you “feel” anything. Just because you “felt” great sorrow, joy, or triumph does not mean that you truly sang a Christian song or worshipped God. Some people feel the same things, experience the same catharsis, singing their favorite love song or college fight song. Check the lyrics of your “worship” songs. Were they God-focused, gospel-storied, quotes, paraphrases, or truths from Scripture? Do you know Scripture better now that you “worshipped?” Friends don’t be deceived by your feelings or the music or the crowd into thinking you’ve “worshiped”. Can the Spirit move if you sing acapella, without your music? If not, perhaps what you “feel” every Sunday is not the Spirit. Perhaps you are worshipping “self” and music, and not truly worshipping God. Check your focus! Check your lyrics! Those who worship God must worship him in Spirit and in truth!

Evangel Church- Montgomery

$5,566.68

Vincent Revival Center

$4,990.52

Montgomery First AG

$2,500.00

CenterPointe AG- Mobile

$2,021.48

Empire Assembly of God

$2,000.00

Bethel Worship CenterWetumpka

$1,737.17

Tuscaloosa First AG

$1,526.26

Appleton First AG- Brewton

$1,433.01

Lake City AG- Guntersville

$1,276.50

Jackson First AG

$1,230.00

Crossroads A/G - Albertville

$500.00

Montgomery First A/G

$200.00

Tuscaloosa First

$80.00

New Beginninngs A/G

$45.00

El Bethel A/G

$40.00

Fountain of Life Church

$40.00

Dothan First A/G

$30.00

May 25-June 2 // Foreign AIM Trip to Costa Rica June 15-July 10 // Summer Camp July 12-18 // Stateside AIM to NYC July 27-31// Na onal Youth Conference August 20 // AYM Cabinet Mee ng August 22 // G5 Conference September 23 // See You At The Pole Sep. 28, 29 & Oct. 1 // Regional Conference October 10 // Called Conference

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October 18 // Speed the Light Day

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AMN CONFERENCE Ladies Luncheon

THANK YOU SO MUCH! It’s hard to imagine that seventeen years have come and gone. What an absolute joy it has been to serve as the Alabama Women’s Director!

There is such a culture of giving to missionaries and ministers who are in need, and I know that will con nue in the days to come.

Women, know that I will always being praying for you, always be cheering you on, and I truly believe your best days are ahead.

I love you all!

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Cyndi Draughon

This Ladies Luncheon was a year to remember! We were honored to have Lisa Taylor from Dothan First Assembly share with our women in ministry. She was such a blessing, and I know God has so much in store for her ministry. Remember ladies, STRAIGHTEN YOUR CROWNS! The women of Dothan First did such a beautiful job decorating for this event & many others throughout the AMN Conference.

THANK YOU for your investment and attention to every detail.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS – IMPORTANT WORKS FOR OUR TIMES Since, after over 20 years of writing reviews for every issue of the Messenger, this may (I don’t know) be the last time I am able to recommend books to our churches and ministers, I’m going to use this issue to simply recommend as many excellent resources as possible. These are the books that well-read ministers and scholars write, read, and use in their kingdom work. I encourage you to add them to your libraries. They will deepen your knowledge, broaden your horizons, and improve your understanding.

ROBERT WEBBER’S ANCIENT-FUTURE FAITH SERIES … Robert Webber’s Ancient-Future Faith series is the premier examination of the church’s life and worship done in our lifetimes. These books have had a profound impact on thousands of evangelical and Pentecostal ministers and churches, particularly some younger emerging leaders. I encourage you to buy them, read them, and put them into practice.

Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World, Robert E. Webber, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999, 240 pages. READ THIS VOLUME FIRST. Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year, READ THIS VOLUME SECOND. Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God’s Narrative, READ THIS VOLUME THIRD. The Divine Embrace: Recovering the Passionate Spiritual Life.

Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-Forming Community.

ZONDERVAN’S COUNTERPOINT SERIES features brief discussion on critical issues facing the church today. Proponents of 3 to 4 orthodox perspectives on an issue present their cases which are critiqued by those holding a different perspective. Of the 25+ volumes in the series the ones below address the hottest, most important issues on the table today. I urge you to access these brief volumes. You will better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective. All are published by Zondervan, edited and written by experts on each topic.

Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy, This volume examines the current spectrum of positions on inerrancy. All the writers are evangelical Christians, and all views presented are viable options within orthodox, evangelical, Pentecostal faith.

Four Views on Hell, This volume examines the current spectrum of positions on inerrancy. All the writers are evangelical Christians, and all views presented are viable options within orthodox, evangelical, Pentecostal faith. An excellent related work is Two Views of Hell: A Biblical & Theological Dialogue, by Edward Fudge and Robert Peterson, Westmont: IVP Academic, 2000, 228 pages.

Three Views on Creation and Evolution, An excellent related volume is Four Views on the Historical Adam, All of the authors for both volumes are evangelical Christians. All views presented are found among evangelicals and Pentecostals.

Three Views on The Millennium and Beyond, An excellent related volume is Four Views on the Book of Revelation, All views presented in both books are orthodox, and are present in evangelicals and Pentecostals.

2026 ORDINATION CLASS Mary Michele Benson Andrew Bryan Eduardo Garcia

MINISTERIAL CHANGES Transferred in: N/A Deceased: Rev. Ray Layton Pastoral Changes: Pierce Chapel Rev. Frank Gosse New/Upgraded Creden als: Tyler Sawyer (C) Hunter Hughes (C) LeAnna Johnson (L)

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Thomas Baker (L)

E Sco Marcum Robert May Robert Mest

Christopher Newton Marshall Tro er Jason White LaWanda Worthington

2026 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Student Cayla Carlson

School GBL

Emma Edgar

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Ava Lugo

SEU

Maci Mills

SEU

Lane Sasser

SEU

Carsyn Sims

SEU

Joel Sims

SEU

Kevin Sowers

NU

Molly Kate Williamson

SEU

Lydia Boyd

EVG

Tonya Casteel

GBL

Eric Johnson Jr.

SEU

Sarah McCluey

EVG

Joseph Monroe

AGTS

Jeremiah Temple

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Joshua White

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In Memory Of… Rev. Ray Layton

Reverend Ray Layton of Enterprise, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was 77 years old. Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home & Crematory with Reverend Royce Morrow and Reverend Randy Kuhn o cia ng. Burial followed at Meadowlawn Cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home & Crematory of Enterprise direc ng. The family received friends at the funeral home the evening prior to the service on Saturday March 14, 2026, from 5:00 PM un l 7:00 PM. Mr. Layton was born August 31, 1948, to the late Fred and Irene Sipper Layton. In addi on to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Valinda Layton, and his brother, Fred Coley Layton.

Reverend Layton was a man who commi ed his life to faithfully serving the Lord alongside his wife of 52 years. His ministry spanned over 50 years as he served as pastor of many churches in the area, most recently leading the congrega on at Grace Assembly of God. Even in the hospital and rehab he s ll ministered to those around him, always concerned for the salva on of the lost to the very end.

Ray was a family man who was dedicated to his family, especially his precious grandchildren. He developed deep bonds with every member of his family, and he would use the rela onships he built with his children as examples in his ministry, tes fying to the importance of raising a family on solid, biblical founda on. Ray believed and o en expressed to others that it is never too late to build rela onships with the ones you love.

Survivors include his children, Cynthia Stricklin (Paul) and Chad Layton (Melissa), both of Enterprise; sister, Elaine Anderson; brother-in-law, Tony Bradley (Darlene); and three grandchildren, Skylar Stricklin (Abie), Chase Layton (Lynsey) and Abby Layton.

UPCOMING EVENTS

-ACMS (All Church Ministry Summit): August 21-22 -G5 Youth Alive Conference: August 22 -Engage Ladies Retreat at SCCC: September 10-12

-Men’s Encounter Retreat at SCCC: September 17-19 -Regional Conference- Southwest Region: Monday, September 28 at Atmore First AG -Regional Conference- Southeast Region: Tuesday, September 29 at Montgomery First AG -Regional Conference- Southwest Region: Thursday, October 1 at Hartselle First AG

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-The Gathering Ministers Retreat: October 12-14 in Gatlinburg, TN